Kaleidoscope and 6 Other Shows to Watch This Week

Looking for your next binge-watch, or just need to fill an hour? Welcome to Your Weekly Watch List, our curated collection of the best shows on television. Here’s what to watch from Monday, December 26 through Sunday, January 1.

As the year comes to an end, television is going out with a bang. This week brings the premiere of Netflix’s non-linear heist drama Kaleidoscope, a new season of The Circle, festive New Year’s Eve coverage, and more.

Notable TV Premieres This Week

The Circle Season 5: Wednesday, Netflix

Netflix’s influencer competition returns with a group of players who are all single. After finishing the first season in second-place, fan-favorite contestant Shubham Goel moves back into The Circle apartments in hopes of achieving redemption — but this time, he’ll be catfishing the group as a woman named Sasha. Four episodes drop every Wednesday leading up to the finale on January 18.

Paul T. Goldman: Sunday, Peacock

For the past decade, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm director Jason Woliner has attempted to tell the story of Paul T. Goldman, a regular guy who set out to bring down an alleged international crime ring. The resulting comedy blends fact and fiction, combining documentary elements, dramatized reenactments starring Goldman as himself, and behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the show. If that all sounds confusing, know that Woliner also worked as a director on Nathan for You, so he has a fair amount of experience with unconventional storytelling.

Full-Season Binge Releases

Letterkenny Season 11: Monday, Hulu

It wouldn’t be December without a new season of Canadian sitcom Letterkenny. In the six-episode 11th season, the Hicks, the Skids, and the Hockey Players feud over the best chip flavors, lost dogs, a mystery at the church bake sale, and any other trivial subject that pops into their heads. Need more Canadian shenanigans? Read our ranking of the 10 best Letterkenny episodes.

Treason: Monday, Netflix

Marvel alum Charlie Cox is a daredevil of a different kind in Treason, a limited series written by Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies). The spy thriller stars Cox as MI6 chief Adam Lawrence, whose past catches up with him when Kara (Olga Kurylenko), a Russian spy, reenters his life. As he begins to question everyone in his life, a complicated love triangle forms between Kara, Adam, and his wife Maddy (Oona Chaplin) that threatens to reveal secrets, lies, and covert diplomatic relationships. Unlike The Recruit, Netflix’s latest espionage drama, Treason is a bit more serious, with a tone similar to that of 2018 hit Bodyguard.

Kaleidoscope: Sunday, Netflix

Viewers won’t have to wait long to watch one of Netflix’s most-anticipated titles of 2023. Loosely inspired by a true story, Kaleidoscope follows a crew of expert thieves as they attempt to crack a seemingly unbreakable vault for a $7 billion (yes, billion) payday. But this isn’t your average heist drama: The eight episodes will play in a different order for each Netflix user, offering a uniquely immersive viewing experience. Giancarlo Esposito leads the ensemble as the heist mastermind, with Paz Vega, Jai Courtney, and Rosaline Elbay in supporting roles.

Finale Time

His Dark Materials: Monday, 9:00 PM ET on HBO

After three seasons, HBO’s adaptation of Philip Pullman’s novel trilogy comes to an end, having established itself as one of the best fantasy shows of the 21st century. The final season concludes with two back-to-back episodes that will bring some closure to Lyra’s (Daphne Keen) story.

Fleishman Is In Trouble: Thursday, Hulu

If you haven’t been watching Fleishman Is In Trouble, one of the best shows of 2022, now is the time to start. The finale (“The Liver”) builds on the revelations and perspective-shift of the penultimate episode, completing the complicated, messy arcs of Toby (Jesse Eisenberg), Libby (Lizzy Caplan), Seth (Adam Brody), and Rachel (Claire Danes). In a show filled with sensational performances, Danes is particularly resplendent, and her work in the finale deserves serious consideration come Emmys season.

Documentaries and Specials

Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair: Monday, Peacock

Peacock’s partnership with WWE continues with this feature-length documentary about hall of fame wrestler Ric Flair. Sitting down with director Ben Houser (E: 60), Flair opens up about his storied career, life inside and outside the ring, and his influence on pop culture, while stars ranging from Hulk Hogan to Post Malone reflect on his legacy.

New Year’s Eve 2023: Saturday, Various Networks and Streaming Services

Ring in 2023 with Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper, Ryan Seacreast, Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton, and more celebrities as the networks broadcast the ball drop across the country. While Cohen and Cooper bring their usual drunk antics to CNN (despite Chris Licht’s reported efforts to sober up the affair), Seacrest will hold court on ABC, and Cyrus and Parton, hosting live from Miami, take over NBC and Peacock. Coverage begins at 8:00 PM ET on CNN, ABC, and CBS — which has recruited country music stars for its Nashville’s Big Bash event. Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party is slated to begin at 10:30 PM ET.

If You Have...

An Hour

Chelsea Handler: Revolution: Tuesday, Netflix
Doc Martin Series Finale: Thursday, Acorn TV
We’re Here Season 3 Finale: Friday, 10:00 PM ET on HBO

An Evening

Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl: Wednesday, Disney+
45th Annual Kennedy Center Honors: Wednesday, 8:00 PM ET on CBS
Lizzo: Live in Concert: Saturday, HBO Max

A Full Day

Chicago Party Aunt Part 2: Friday, Netflix
The Glory: Friday, Netflix

Up Next

The Lying Life of Adults: Wednesday, January 4, Netflix
Copenhagen Cowboy: Thursday, January 5, Netflix
Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches: Sunday, January 8, AMC
All Creatures Great and Small Season 3: Sunday, January 8, PBS

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.